The gases passed over a hot roll of copper gauze, then through a weighed calcium chloride tube, which absorbed the water, into an azotometer containing a concentrated solution of potassium hydroxide where the nitrogen was measured.

By the 1980s, there was still huge appeal for what became known as 'shiny-floor' talent shows, especially during weekend primetime. In the US, Star Search ran for 12 years in its original run, from 1983 to 1995, and as searches went, it did genuinely uncover some A-list talent, including Destiny's Child, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Alanis Morrisette and LeAnn Rimes.

Strap in, he said, sternly. My bird, my rules. No one freeballs it when I'm doing the flying.

A links is best when it’s really firm and when the wind is really up.